AU2020202728B2

AU2020202728B2 - Transmission Network

Info

Publication number: AU2020202728B2
Application number: AU2020202728A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew David BUCHANAN
Original assignee: Bullroarer Networks Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bullroarer Networks Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-23
Also published as: AU2020202728A1

Abstract

A method of re-purposing unused telecommunications infrastructure is disclosed. Such infrastructure takes the form of a base cabinet (C), a telecommunications optical fibre (F2) connected to the cabinet (C) and to a fibre to wire multiplexer (CMUX) located within cabinet (C). The method 10 includes the steps of: mounting an antenna (Al) on, or adjacent to, the cabinet (C), supplying a transceiver from the multiplexer, and connecting the transceiver to the antenna (Al). A new wireless telecommunication system rollout utilising at least some unused telecommunications infrastructure is also disclosed. 15 20 25 30 9 5735A-AU 4.14 C*%%J Cl\J C \ Lu Irk

Description

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Transmission Network

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the transmission of data and, in particular, to the provision of Internet services in remote areas.

Background Art In Australia, data such as an Internet service was initially provided by an ADSL signal (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) with a Maximum Speed of 24/1 (24Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) transmitted over a twisted copper pair cable to individual subscribers. With the provision of the National Broadband Network (NBN), the NBN took over the twisted pair wires in ducts and underground cable paths and thus the twisted pair cable leading to the individual subscribers was instead connected to an NBN node.

The signal technology that was used to connect customers via the NBN was called VDSL (Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line) and now has a theoretical maximum speed of up to 100Mbps down and 40Mbps up. These speeds have since been proved by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and recorded as being unattainable by the NBN network. Since then maximum speeds are not to be quoted by suppliers. As a result, not many end users have taken up the100Mbps speeds offered due to the customers' fear that they won't get what they pay for. Furthermore, latency levels are very high on the NBN and can range from 19ms ping times to 10OOms, depending on any congestion, the quality of the line and/or the bandwidth available at the time.

There are many forms of connecting a customer to the NBN network, including the following: 1. Fibre to the Node (with copper from Node to the end user. This is unreliable due to the substantial distances from the Node to the customer, and the quality of the underground cable). 2. Fibre to the Curb (straight fibre from the Node to the curb and then copper from the curb to the premises). This is unreliable due to the state of the copper connection between the premises and the curb).

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3. Fibre to the premises (straight fibre to the premises all the way from the Node). This has low latency, and more reliable speeds but is expensive to install). 4. Fixed Wireless (Fibre to a purpose built NBN tower, which then provides a wireless 4G signal from the tower to the customer's premises. An antenna is installed on customer's premises and is connected to a router for the use of the internet signal). This is very unreliable and only offers slow speeds - a maximum of 25Mbps down and 5Mbps up. 5. Satellite broadcasting directly to the customer's premises. (Again this is unreliable due to a possibly unfavourable position of the premises relative to the satellite and the relatively low speeds this form of connection can produce. Currently average speeds are between 2 and 10Mbps down and 2Mbps up, and this form of connection is very congested already.

In regards to the NBN, the node was connected to the internet by way of a newly installed fibre cable which only provides an "Asymmetrical" signal by way of a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) which was connected back to the internet via an NBN Point of Interconnect (POI). Such POIs were not related to the existing Telstra Pathways. So the remote fibre connected exchanges and multiplexers of the previous telephone system were then bypassed. As a consequence, various items of the previous existing telephone system, which was owned by Telstra, were made redundant as a consequence of the NBN rollout, and no longer had an immediate use. It is publicly known that the performance of the NBN system has been underwhelming.

Genesis of the Invention The Genesis of the present invention is a desire to compete with the NBN system utilising wireless communication and unused telecommunications infrastructure of the previous telephone system. Preferably this is done using point to point microwave radio wifi signal links to transmit super fast broadband communications backended by unused Telstra telecommunications infrastructure of the previous telephone/broadband system. Use of the Telstra owned fibre assets enables a focus on delivering "Symmetrical" fibre speeds (Download is the same as the Upload in

2 5735A-AU relation to speed - i.e. 100Mbps down and 100Mbps up) creating a Super Fast Broadband Network which will deliver fast Broadband, particularly to rural and regional locations of Australia.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of re-purposing unused telecommunications infrastructure comprising a base cabinet, telecommunications optical fibre connected to said cabinet and to a fibre to copper wire multiplexer located within said cabinet, said method comprising the steps of: mounting an antenna on, or adjacent to, said cabinet, supplying a transceiver from said multiplexer, and connecting said transceiver to said antenna.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a wireless telecommunications system comprising a base cabinet supplied by optical fibre from a pre-existing prior communications system and including a fibre to copper wire multiplexer, a base antenna mounted on, or adjacent to, said cabinet and a base transceiver coupled thereto, a plurality of subscriber units each remote from said base cabinet but within a wireless reception range and also including a subscriber antenna and a subscriber transceiver coupled thereto, at least one of said subscriber units also being operable as a repeat station.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram representing an initial stage of a prior art data transmission system, Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating how the system of Fig. 1 was modified to accommodate an increased number of subscribers, Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating how the system of Fig. 2 was modified by the arrival of the NBN, and Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the re-purposing of existing infrastructure so as to create the system of the preferred embodiment.

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Detailed Description As seen in Fig. 1, the telephone system prior to the arrival of NBN was created over many years, initially by the Post Masters General's Department (PMG) and subsequently by Telecom, and then Telstra. The system is based around a number of exchanges E only one of which is illustrated in Fig. 1. In later years each of the exchanges E was supplied by symmetrical optical fibre F1. Within each of the exchanges E was multiplexing equipment (not illustrated) which converted the incoming "Symmetrical" optical fibre signal from the fibre Fl into the individual electrical signals and provided a maximum ADSL, "Asymmetrical" speed of 24/1 to be supplied to the individual subscribers Sl, S2, S3, etc. each of which has a screen, a keyboard and a modem M1, M2, M3, etc. Telstra built and owned this network.

The exchange E was connected to a Cross Connection Unit (CCU) commonly known in the industry as a pillar P1 (depicted in Fig. 1 with its cylindrical cover removed) by means of a "mains" copper cable 11 which consisted of between 100 and 900 individual twisted pairs. A small branch cable 12, for example having two twisted pairs, interconnected the pillar P1 to the modem of each of the subscribers. Only one pair of wires was used out of the two pairs in order to make this connection, the other pair being held as a reserve. The branch cables 12 typically vary in size and can consist of up to 200 individual twisted pairs of wires. These were broken down by way of multiple joints within the underground network in order to reduce the size of the branch cables 12 so that they could be connected to smaller cables at the end user.

Turning now to Fig. 2, as the local population grew, so the number of subscribers S also grew. This exceeded the capacity of the existing underground copper mains cable that was connecting the Exchange to the pillar. This restricted the capacity of the pillar P1 to connect additional subscribers. In order to allow for the future increased number of subscribers, a cabinet C was supplied from the exchange E via a "symmetrical" optical fibre cable F2 which replaced the need to terminate copper mains cable. The cabinet C included a CMUX which again converted the incoming optical signal to the individual outgoing electrical signals. These were again supplied to an existing pillar P2 which in turn supplied a second group of branch/network

4 5735A-AU cables 12. Each cabinet C was normally supplied with mains power with battery backup. The arrangement of Fig. 2 represented the typical infrastructure arrangement prior to the introduction of the NBN.

The situation following the introduction of the NBN is illustrated in Fig. 3. By agreement, Telstra sold to the NBN the pillars P1, P2, etc. and the ducts and underground branch cables 12. The NBN laid their own "asymmetrical" optical fibre F3 and built their own nodes N (only one of which is illustrated in Fig. 3). Each node N contained its own equipment for conversion from light signals to electric signals and multiplexing arrangements. The output from the node N was connected to the pillars P1, P2, etc. The main cables 11 and cabinets C were disconnected from the pillars P1, P2, etc.

As a consequence of this arrangement, in particular the optical fibres F2 and the cabinets C are not merely under utilised, instead much of the equipment within the cabinet is connected to mains power only to prevent the ingress of pests and damage by excessive heat/cold. Such equipment is not being used for its intended designed purpose.

There are some legacy ADSL services still connected within the cabinet but they need to be switched off in the near future. This is because with the NBN no longer communicating with the existing Telstra supported infrastructure, these legacy customers will be forcibly disconnected in order for these customers to be moved on to NBN's Fixed Wireless technology, or satellite network where the NBN Fixed Wireless technology is not offered at the customer's location. These assets unless re deployed by Telstra and its partners, risk the danger of becoming derelict or permanently removed by Telstra. Telstra have asked for a show of interest by potential clients in their redundant assets and such potential clients have been asked to come forward with ideas for the use of the technology that has been made redundant. Hence the Genesis of the present invention which seeks to ameliorate a massive issue in Australia, namely slow internet speeds.

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Turning now to Fig. 4, the situation in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. Within the cabinet C, the output of the multiplexer is connected to a transceiver (not illustrated but mounted within the cabinet C). The transceiver is connected to an antenna Al mounted on the cabinet C, or on a mast located adjacent thereto. The, typically onidirectional, antenna Al is able to transmit and receive over a wireless reception range which is largely dependent upon the transmitting frequency and the transmitting power. Within that wireless reception range are preferably located remote subscribers such as home H2 which has an antenna A2 attached to its roof, and even previous subscribers such as S3 which has an antenna A3 attached to a router R3.

In addition, a repeater station RS having an antenna A4 can be provided within the above-mentioned wireless reception range in order to extend the range to even more remote subscribers. Similarly, a temporary station TS having an antenna A5 can be mounted onto a mobile device such as a vehicle trailer and thereby moved to a new location in order to provide restored services in the event of a bushfire, flood or like natural disaster.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the electronic arts, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term "comprising" (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "including" or "having" and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of'.

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Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of re-purposing unused telecommunications infrastructure comprising a base cabinet, telecommunications optical fibre connected to said cabinet and to a fibre to copper wire multiplexer located within said cabinet, said method comprising the steps of: mounting an antenna on, or adjacent to, said cabinet, supplying a transceiver from said multiplexer, and connecting said transceiver to said antenna.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 including the step of sending to said cabinet via said optical fibre, data to be transmitted via said antenna.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 including the step of sending received data from said transceiver from said cabinet via said optical fibre by way of a "Symmetrical" fibre connection.
4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein said base cabinet antenna transmits data to, and receives data from, a subscriber antenna.
5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein said base cabinet antenna transmits data to, and receives data from, a repeater station antenna.
6. A wireless telecommunications system comprising a base cabinet supplied by optical fibre from a pre-existing prior communications system and including a fibre to copper wire multiplexer, a base antenna mounted on, or adjacent to, said cabinet and a base transceiver coupled thereto, a plurality of subscriber units each remote from said base cabinet but within a wireless reception range and also including a subscriber antenna and a subscriber transceiver coupled thereto, at least one of said subscriber units also being operable as a repeat station.
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Dated this 1 5 th day of April 2020

BULLROARER NETWORKS PTY

By its Patent Attorneys FRASER OLD & SOHN
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